Travel marketplace Skyscanner and global insurtech Cover Genius have teamed up to introduce a COVID-19 travel insurance package spanning medical, trip cancellation, and airline insolvency coverage.
The new policy will be offered at the point of purchase and will initially be available to those who book through Skyscanner in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain as part of a phased rollout. The plan is to eventually make the offering available in up to 50 countries.
“We’re proud to be partnering with Skyscanner to bring this market-leading set of insurance products to travellers worldwide, via XCover, our global insurance distribution platform,” stated Peter Smith, head of travel partnerships for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at Cover Genius.
“Our team has moved swiftly to build new insurance products that offer increased protection for customers dealing with unique circumstances as a result of COVID-19. These new products will not only offer customers personalised coverage and speedy payment of claims, but also provide a sense of safety and security so they can book a vacation and travel again with confidence.”
Benefits include round-the-clock emergency medical assistance; repatriation and expenses cover; trip cancellation insurance for prepaid travel costs foregone due to the coronavirus and other causes including failed temperature checks; as well as protection against airline insolvency.
Meanwhile Skyscanner commercial director Tiago Godinho commented: “We’re bringing a new type of insurance product to market with our COVID-19 travel protection. In today’s uncertain and changing travel landscape, the most important thing we can do is to give travellers the confidence they need to plan and book a flight, knowing that they are covered whatever happens.
“This first-of-its-kind package offers a high level of cover, going as far as reimbursing travellers if they fail a temperature check at their destination, ensuring complete peace of mind for anyone wishing to travel right now.”
Godinho said they are pleased to have Cover Genius as a partner, citing the latter’s technology and end-to-end insurance capability. Cover Genius has offices in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, Singapore, India, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, and North America.
